Contents

During an outbreak of an exotic notifiable animal disease government may need to cull (kill) animals to control disease spread. Certain categories of animal and bird may be spared from culling if this doesn’t interfere with efforts to control the disease.

Decisions to spare are made on a case by case basis. A vet will carry out a risk assessment of the premises where the animal is kept. Other factors, including the potential implications of failing to cull, will also be considered. There are no guarantees an animal or bird will be spared.

Animals that may be spared

Government will consider sparing animals kept:

in a zoo or a wildlife park

for scientific research or breeding for such research

in a premises approved for trade in semen, ova or embryos within the EU

for display or educational purposes

for purposes related to conservation of a species or genetic resource (see breeds at risk section of this guide)

Poultry (kept birds) and other birds that may be spared

Government will consider sparing poultry and other birds that are kept:

in a non-commercial holding

in a circus

in a pet shop

in a zoo or a wildlife park

for scientific research or breeding for such research

for purposes related to conservation of a species or genetic resource (see breeds at risk section of this guide)